Men's Lacrosse

Eddie Noonan scores game winner, Franklin Pierce beats St. Michael's

COLCHESTER, Vt. -- Eddie Noonan scored the game-winner midway through the first overtime, and Franklin Pierce overcame an early five-goal deficit to pick up a 9-8 win at Saint Michael’s on Wednesday at Duffy Field.

The win marked Franklin Pierce’s first triumph against Saint Michael’s since 2001, and snapped a current three-game losing streak to improve to 6-5 overall and 4-5 in the Northeast-10 Conference. The six wins are the second most for a single season in program history, and just one shy of tying the leading mark of seven set back during the 2012 campaign.

Noonan finished with a team-high five points on two markers and three assists. His second tally came in the extra session, and was set up by a nice dish from sophomore Brenden Caldeira, who was credited with an assist on the play.

One of Noonan’s helpers came with 2:44 remaining in regulation, as he set up Kevin Dargin’s (Littleton, Mass.) fourth goal that put the Ravens on top for the first time in the game at 8-7.

The marker was impressive in that it capped a 4-0 surge, and gave Franklin Pierce the lead after it had spotted St. Mike’s the opening five goals during the first nine minutes of the contest. The Ravens looked like they had pulled off the impressive come-from-behind win, but with just :17 left Asa Sargent threw in a strike to knot it at 8-8 and send it to extra time.

Dargin’s four goals were a game-high, and gave him 28 for the season, which set a career-high for a single year. His 28 markers are also tied for the third most for a campaign in program history. If that wasn’t enough, Dargin also moved into second place in program history with 72 career markers, becoming just the second player in the record book to top 70 goals for a career. He stands just five goals shy of moving into first place in program history.

Noonan’s two goals gave him 21 for the year, marking his second-straight season in topping 20 goals for a campaign. He missed last year due to injury, but in 2012 tossed in 21 goals.

Saint Michael’s outshot the Ravens, 40-32, including a commanding 12-3 advantage in the first 15 minutes as the Purple Knights built a 5-0 lead. Tim McDonald scored just 15 seconds into the contest, and Jamie McGill capped the opening rally with a marker just 32 seconds after the previous one was scored by Ben Overslaugh.

Despite the opening goals, Franklin Pierce goalie Don Denman stood strong after that, and finished with a season-high 17 saves to earn the win and improve to 6-5 on the year. He turned aside seven of eight shots faced in the third quarter as Franklin Pierce was making its rally.

Dargin threw in back-to-back goals to open the second quarter, and Noonan added one just minutes later. While Denman was standing on his head in the third and fourth quarters, Dargin continued throwing in strikes, while Alex Connolly got into the act by putting in two goals, and Erik Kelly adding one of his own.

Franklin Pierce took advantage of its man-up opportunities by going for a 2-for-6 clip, while showing great discipline by only taking two penalties and shutting down Saint Michael’s both times.

McDonald and Sargent each scored twice to pace the Purple Knights’ attack.